Parent Perceptions of School Meals as Predictors of Participation among Pacific Islander Families in the United States

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Title: Parent Perceptions of School Meals as Predictors of Participation among Pacific Islander Families in the United States
Language: English
Authors: Lori Andersen Spruance, Dilany Santamaria, Sarah Hall (ORCID 0009-0004-1985-3297)
Source: Journal of School Health. 2026 96(6).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 10
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Secondary Education
Descriptors: Parent Attitudes, Breakfast Programs, Lunch Programs, Predictor Variables, Family Involvement, Pacific Islanders, Student Participation, Elementary School Students, Secondary School Students, School Policy, School Health Services
DOI: 10.1111/josh.70169
ISSN: 0022-4391
1746-1561
Abstract: Background: Pacific Islander families in the United States experience high rates of food insecurity and diet-related chronic disease. School meal programs can improve nutrition and reduce family burdens, yet little is known about Pacific Islander parents' perceptions of these programs. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 150 Pacific Islander parents of K--12 public school students across the United States Parents reported their child's participation in the school breakfast program (SBP) and national school lunch program (NSLP), perceptions of school meals, and demographic characteristics. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of daily/almost daily participation. Results: Nearly half of children did not regularly participate in SBP, and 31% did not regularly participate in NSLP. Participation was higher among those eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Perceived family benefits significantly increased the odds of both breakfast and lunch participation, while negative perceptions reduced participation in breakfast. Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity: Findings suggest culturally appropriate outreach emphasizing family benefits and improving meal quality and variety may increase participation among Pacific Islander families. Conclusions: Parent perceptions strongly shape school meal participation. Enhancing awareness, access, and cultural relevance may reduce disparities and improve health equity.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1508048
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Parent Perceptions of School Meals as Predictors of Participation among Pacific Islander Families in the United States
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  Data: English
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lori+Andersen+Spruance%22">Lori Andersen Spruance</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Dilany+Santamaria%22">Dilany Santamaria</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sarah+Hall%22">Sarah Hall</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1985-3297">0009-0004-1985-3297</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+School+Health%22"><i>Journal of School Health</i></searchLink>. 2026 96(6).
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 10
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Elementary+Education%22">Elementary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Secondary+Education%22">Secondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Parent+Attitudes%22">Parent Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Breakfast+Programs%22">Breakfast Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Lunch+Programs%22">Lunch Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Predictor+Variables%22">Predictor Variables</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Family+Involvement%22">Family Involvement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Pacific+Islanders%22">Pacific Islanders</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Participation%22">Student Participation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+School+Students%22">Elementary School Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Secondary+School+Students%22">Secondary School Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+Policy%22">School Policy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+Health+Services%22">School Health Services</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
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  Data: 10.1111/josh.70169
– Name: ISSN
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  Data: 0022-4391<br />1746-1561
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Background: Pacific Islander families in the United States experience high rates of food insecurity and diet-related chronic disease. School meal programs can improve nutrition and reduce family burdens, yet little is known about Pacific Islander parents' perceptions of these programs. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 150 Pacific Islander parents of K--12 public school students across the United States Parents reported their child's participation in the school breakfast program (SBP) and national school lunch program (NSLP), perceptions of school meals, and demographic characteristics. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of daily/almost daily participation. Results: Nearly half of children did not regularly participate in SBP, and 31% did not regularly participate in NSLP. Participation was higher among those eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Perceived family benefits significantly increased the odds of both breakfast and lunch participation, while negative perceptions reduced participation in breakfast. Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity: Findings suggest culturally appropriate outreach emphasizing family benefits and improving meal quality and variety may increase participation among Pacific Islander families. Conclusions: Parent perceptions strongly shape school meal participation. Enhancing awareness, access, and cultural relevance may reduce disparities and improve health equity.
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1508048
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1111/josh.70169
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 10
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Parent Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Breakfast Programs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Lunch Programs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Predictor Variables
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Family Involvement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Pacific Islanders
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Participation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Elementary School Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Secondary School Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School Policy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School Health Services
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Parent Perceptions of School Meals as Predictors of Participation among Pacific Islander Families in the United States
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            NameFull: Sarah Hall
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              M: 06
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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